Pivot assembly bearing device and magnetic head actuator using the same

Abstract

A ball bearing (rolling bearing) containing lubricant sealed therein is provided between a shaft and a sleeve. A labyrinth seal (seal gap) is provided at an end portion of the shaft or the sleeve in the axial direction. A permanent magnet is disposed such that a magnetic pole is located in proximity to the labyrinth seal. A magnetic seal effect that utilizes diamagnetism acting on evaporating oil is provided at the labyrinth seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pivot assembly bearing device comprising:
 a shaft; 
 a sleeve; 
 a rolling bearing disposed between the shaft and the sleeve for rotatably supporting the sleeve in relation to the shaft, the rolling bearing containing a lubricant sealed therein; 
 an annular portion that extends radially from the shaft or the sleeve at at least one end portion of the shaft or the sleeve in an axial direction to form a seal gap between the annular portion and an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve or an outer peripheral surface of the shaft; and 
 at least one pair of permanent magnets disposed such that a magnetic pole is provided in proximity to the seal gap, wherein: 
 each magnet of the at least one pair of permanent magnets has a different diameter, and 
 the at least one pair of permanent magnets is disposed on a side of an end portion of the sleeve and includes two annular permanent magnets, an outside diameter of one of the two permanent magnets being smaller than an inside diameter of the other, and the two permanent magnets being concentrically coupled to each other by an annular yoke made of a magnetic substance. 
 
     
     
       2. The pivot assembly bearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one magnet of the at least one pair of permanent magnets is magnetized in the axial direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The pivot assembly bearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one magnet of the at least one pair of permanent magnets is fitted to at least the sleeve or the shaft. 
 
     
     
       4. A magnetic head actuator comprising:
 the pivot head assembly bearing device according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the pivot head assembly bearing device is further configured to rotatably support a swing arm provided with a magnetic head at a distal end portion.